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"Good work tonight," Sasha says, patting Dragolan on his shoulder. At his question she answers, "Plans? Huh, good question. I was running away from something - not to something. I suppose I haven't actually considered what I'll do upon arriving in Eleder now that I've been detained here. I doubt those who were supposed to meet me will wait for me to arrive. And what of you - what are your plans?"
Sasha, who has been quietly playing with Marta, clears her throat and speaks up. "I want to be of help more than I have been to this point. I know that you are our 'exploring party' or whatever, but I want to do more than just sit around camp all day. Tomorrow, after we move, I'd at least like to equip you with some...knowledge...I have access to." Sitting down, Sasha reveals that her mother is an infamous Red Mantis Assassin, and that she’s learned some combat secrets from her that she wants share with the party. "That's how I earned my tattoo," she says casually, gesturing towards her back. "And how I lost a pinky."
Sasha gasps at the sight of Petry's gash in his head. But that is quickly forgotten. Her eyes go wide at the sight of the cutlass. "That is a glorious weapon," she says. Picking it up and waving it expertly, she asks, "May I try it out?
Waking back up and seeing Petry standing over her, Sasha's smile returns. "I just had the most pleasant dream. I was a little girl, chasing an adult version of Marta," breaking off, she sits straight up. "Where is she? Is she ok? Wait...what time is it? Why was I asleep? What in the Gods names happened?!"
"No! Please...no....I'm sorry....sorry...not...finger..." Sasha says in her sleep. The smile has left her face, replaced by a look of intense struggle and a little fear.
Sasha cracks open and peers into the bag Petry hands her - her face giddy with excitement. She reaches in and attempts to calm the creature.
She whispers some words and slowly pets the scaly bird-like creature, slowly lifting it from the bag. "It's just a baby!" she says excitedly. "She is perfect. Thank you all so much!" She takes a seat with dimorphodon and continues cooing and petting it. "What should I call you? How about...Marta? Yes, you look very much like a Marta I used to know. But you're much cuter, aren't you?"
Sasha seems grateful for Petry's words and offer of the fishing gear - but she still seems frightened. Her mood seems to lighten, though, as she turns to Petry and says, "Look, I don't suppose you could...um...perhaps...get me one of those creatures Brin encountered as a pet, coud you? I know that you will all be busy with your exploration, but should you encounter one - a small one, of course - could you retrieve it for me? It would make this...ordeal...a little more pleasant."
Sasha smiles slightly at Kalis' words, but seems largely unmoved by the gesture.
Upon seeing the brightly colored creature, Sasha lets out a gasp. She doesn't sound frightened or concerned; she sounds excited and giddy. She kneels down to get a closer look at the body, a wide smile on her face. She lovingly caresses its head and examines its wings. "I think it's a Dimorphodon. I've never seen one in person - they're gorgeous aren't they?" To most people, it is anything but gorgeous.
"I think you can move during the day," Sasha says. "But if you have to exert yourself - setting up another camp, fending off a sea-scorpion or something else - that's when it would get dangerous to one's health, I think."
Sasha asks Petry, "When you were looking at the maps and charts, did you uncover anything worthwhile?"
When Petry finishes, Gelik lets out one of his snorts – they are quickly becoming his trademark. "We are grateful for your intentions, I'm sure." Sasha slaps Gelik's arm with the back of her hand. "Shut up, Gelik." It is the first time she has spoken since pointing out the dead cook. "Petry's just trying to help." Turning back to Petry, she says, "On the ship, you pulled that miner's pick out of thin air - can you make anything appear - like food, or maps or a boat?" Gelik snorts at Sasha's question.
Dragolan and Petry: Sasha leads you into the larder. Although the majority of the Jenivere’s food stores were kept in the now-missing cargo below, there are enough preserved rations are stored here to supply a single person with food for 24 days. "I already have the rations stacked and ready to go. But that's not why I wanted you to come in here," she says. She leads you to the corner, where stashed behind some foodstuffs lies the dead body of the Chef.
Sasha looks up at the sky and says, "Can we be done with the talking? It's going to be wickedly hot soon and I'd rather we not be out in the sun if it can be avoided. So are we all going, then? We can leave the gnome behind if necessary. I'm sure the sea scorpions would love to hear his jokes."
Up until now, Sasha has been sitting, trying to regain her energy. When Kalis begins shedding his gear, she leaps up, goes to the pile and retrieves her rapiers and kukri. She moves next to Kalis and says, "Let's go and see what we will find! We'd best hurry, though. It will be too hot and the tide too severe if we delay."
Again, Sasha laughs. "Oh Petro, you're a dear. No need to get so defensive. I'm sure your maps and 'other things' will inspire bards for years following your death." Realizing that her words were rather harsh, she attempts to soften them. "Not that you're going to die. Well, I mean you will. But not gruesomely. Unless that's what you want as an adventurer. Oh. I'm sorry. I have to go." She laughs again, as if everything she's just said is a joke, and runs out of the galley.
Sasha starts laughing at Petry's words. "Maps? Hahahahaha! The employers in Eleder need blades and spells - not pieces of parchment on ink. Surely there is something else you could offer an employer or a roving band of adventurers?"
Sasha's eyes light up at the prospect of adventure, as she absentmindedly scratches the spot where her pinky finger used to be. She is speaking to you, but it appears as if she's having an internal dialog. "Hmm, the jungles do sound wonderful. I'm sure there are all manner of exotic creatures there. And surely two such as yourselves could use someone of my skill. But, no, I have things to do in Eleder. It would be...irresponsible...to neglect them. I thank you for the offer, but, no, I cannot." Rather than sounding sad, she almost sounds angry.
"I see land," comes a voice from on high. It is Sasha's, but it comes several minutes after the question was asked. "It doesn't appear to be settled, though. It just looks like wild jungle and - I must admit - beautiful beaches."[b] As she finishes her reply, she hops out of the crow's nest and nimbly climbs down the netting to deck below. She strides over to Petry and Dragolan. [b]"I'm not overly familiar with the seas, but I don't see our destination anywhere in sight. I hope our captain knows what he's doing. So, Petro, you didn't drink much last night. Are you a lightweight or what?" She says this with a gentle nudge in Petry's ribs.
Sasha strides on deck, looking beautiful and fully recovered from her illness the night previous. She looks around and sees Petry - she smiles, but doesn't approach. Instead, she moves to the bow of the ship and looks out across the water. Those who look can see a wide, almost manic smile on her face. After just a few moments, she turns back to the middle of the ship and moves towards the rigging. In a swift movement, she leaps onto the netting and climbs to the crow's nest. All of this happens within the span of a minute. |
